Akwa Ibom Police Rescue Man from Lynching After Son’s Corpse Found in Carton

A man, reportedly from Anambra State, was narrowly rescued by police from a lynch mob at the Itam Timber Market in Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom. He was found carrying a carton containing the body of his deceased son, triggering suspicions of foul play among the traders.

Eyewitnesses reported that the man, whose identity remains undisclosed, raised suspicion as he was seen heading towards the market’s waste disposal area, carrying the carton on his head. When traders noticed him, they immediately confronted him, prompting a large crowd to gather.

One witness, speaking anonymously, recounted that two young boys were with the man when he was detained by the mob. “They pulled down the carton and found the lifeless body of a young boy, naked but wrapped in torn clothes,” the witness said. The confrontation quickly escalated, with the crowd accusing the man of ritualistic intentions and demanding that he reveal the contents of the carton.

A viral video of the incident shows the man struggling as the mob pressed him for answers. Before the situation could deteriorate further, police officers arrived, dispersing the crowd and taking the man into protective custody.

Akwa Ibom State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Timfon John, provided additional context to the situation, explaining that initial investigations suggested the man had no harmful intent toward his child. “The father of three was intercepted with a deceased boy and two living boys. He informed the police that, according to his tradition, deceased males must be buried in their community, and he was on his way to Anambra State to carry out the burial,” ASP John stated.

The police have since moved the boy’s body to a local morgue as further investigations continue to clarify the events leading up to the tragic encounter.